NEW YORK -- With 30-plus area rug exhibitors from a range of international studios showcasing presumably the world's most cutting edge designs, the major storylines at the 2019 ICFF were intense colorations and bold graphic looks.

From all four corners of the world, beginning here in the US and reaching across the pond to top Dutch, Spanish and Italian rug studios, down to South America and even Australia, the rug makers on display at ICFF brought with them a diverse interpretation of contemporary area rug design. Saturated colors were omni present and progressive, as were a range of trending motifs influenced from everything from African Kuba cloths, Aboriginal art and Mid-Century Modern patterns.

Another top direction apparent among some of the 2019 participants was a start to finish socially conscious, environmentally sound strategy that embodies every step of the rug making process. From DNA testing of wool for its authenticity to working with weavers in their homes in remote regions to sourcing wool from local farmers, these rug studios offered organic and understated designs with big stories to architects and designers walking the aisles.

New York area rug showroom Lucy Tupu Studio unveils its new Family Jewels collection's first designs named after Lucy's mother, Beryl, and her great aunt, Edna. The rugs are inspired by the rich colors, intricate details and delicate nature of her family's heirlooms.

The sculpted Beryl and precious gems of the Edna design are hand-tufted in delicate silk and fine New Zealand wool. Edna has eight colorways to choose from, while Beryl has five. The Max Gimblett x Lucy Tupu collection includes 12 designs inspired by the artist's works of ink on paper, all handmade in Nepal in Tibetan wool and silk. All designs can be customized to any color, size or shape.

Lucy Tupu rolls out the new Edna, part of the Family Jewels collection of hand-tufted silk and New Zealand wool designs. Shown, Beryl

NOW CARPETSNow Carpets showcased its successful abstract KO2, right, and the new outdoor Palma assortment at its booth at ICFF.

Returning Spanish rug source Now Carpet, which works with s showcased its new outdoor collection called Palma. It also featured a design from its art-like hand-tufted KO collection by designer Francesc Rifé.

NOW Carpets continues to grow its outdoor range introducing the Palma collection at ICFF 2019.

ORLEY SHABAHANG

Orley Shabahang introduces its Dream collection (hanging on wall) inspired by Aboriginal art at the ICFF 2019 fair. Its popular Leopard design from its Animal collection graces the floor.

New York rug atelier Orley Shabahang returns to ICFF with its latest collection of handcrafted area rugs from the Dream collection, inspired by dreamtime maps and drawings of the Aborigines in the Pacific. The rug maker was intrigued by the idea of using the ancient Persian art of carpet weaving to tell the story of another culture's ancient art form."There is a strong tradition in these expressions, which are both unfortunately diminishing in today's modern world. While we have the imagination and skill to recreate this art form in a unique way, we relished the opportunity to honor it," said company founder Bahram Shabahang.

Orley Shabahang showcases its new Dream collection of Aboriginal art-inspired handcrafted area rugs.

RUG & KILIM

Susan Bayer Fishman of Stowe Craft and Design, Stowe, Vermont, checks out new designs at the Rug & Kilim booth with owner Josh Nazmiyal.Rug & Kilim debuts its handmade Mid-Century range at the 2019 edition of ICFF, with nearly 50 designs in the company's third wholesale collection for high-end showrooms (read full story). Crafted of mostly New Zealand wool pile, the rugs play on 1950s-inspired graphic designs from that era. I think the next thing is going to be more architectural, more mid-century, said JoshNazmiyal, founder. "The sensibility is different, but I promise you the next time you look at them, they will have grown on you. They are not like anything we've seen in the last 30 to 40 years."

Rug & Kilim introduces its Mid-Century collection of bold 1950s inspired looks recognized as a finalist in the 2019 DESIGNxNYC Awards for residential floor covering.
Sara Bopp, who represents UK-based Knots Rugs, stops by the show to catch up with Josh Nazmiyal of Rug & Kilim, which now carries Knots Rugs.

Hand-knot specialist S&H Rugs returns to ICFF showcasing its range of contemporarystyles in the latest colors. "Color, color, color," said Ori Wilbush of what is hot at the moment. Whether designs in inky blues or denim blue, bubblegum pink or in prismatic combinations,ICFF shoppers had plenty to choose from at the New Jersey company's stand. "Designers are asking for bold shades of pink - especially for the bedroom," Wilbush reported.

S&H Rugs' new pink broken Persian design, with its textural appeal, was a hit with shoppers looking for what the rug maker sees as an emerging fashion color.

SAMAD BROTHERS

Samad Brothers brought several new collections to ICFF including the metallic inflected Savoy. Shown, Valloire

New York rug showroom Samad Brothers returns to ICFF with its newest including hit of show releases Savoy and Affinity. The hand-knotted Savoy ishandcrafted with hand-carded wool infused with metal threads. Affinity is hand woven using hand carded wool and pure handspun silk and features modern rug designs in a variety of blues and grays.Samad's hand-woven Affinity collection, crafted of wool and silk, gets its debut to an international audience at ICFF.

Shore, a boutique studio that crafts its pieces by hand in the UK, expands its waterproof comfort mats and rugs to include a round version, floor cushions and accent pillows. The indoor and outdoor rugs are handwoven of a high-performance silicone material that is waterproof, and UV and flame resistant, in the London studio.

Shore, a boutique studio that crafts its goods by hand in the UK, expands its waterproof and comfortable mats and rugs to include a round version, floor cushions and accent pillows.

TIBETANO

Nana Grace and designer Valentine Derai-Ohana of Studio Molto, New York, takes a break from rug shopping to pose for RugNews.com.

Tibetano's ICFF booth featured graphic designs that stopped designers and architects in their tracks. The New York showroom introduced fresh designs to its hand-knotted Newport collection of silk and oxidized wool rugs. It also continues to add to its all-wool Moroccan collection with new hand-knotted textural tribal styles.

New York rug showroom Warp & Weft broadens its program with architectural firm Workshop/APD with the Shore design.Warp & Weft, a New York rug showroom, grows its new ocean-inspired collaboration with Workshop/APD a NY-area architectural and design practice. The company introduced Tidal late last year at hospitality show,BDNY, and buyers were attracted to its understated, versatile look. Likewise, at ICFF, shopper where drawn to the delicate watercolor-like Shore, the latest design from the Workshop/APD partnership. The new Shore watercolor design, shown in all silk, from Warp & Weft and Workshop/APD is inspired by the Atlantic Ocean.

WOOP RUGS

Woop Rugs debuts its customizable assortment of area rugs, which are produced in Spain, at ICFF. Shown, Materia

Woop Rugs, a four-year-old division of Spanish Novadecor Group, crafts all its rugs in Spain and now introduces its easily customizable collections to ICFF. "We are trying to see how the market works here and trying to make contacts to meet distributors in the market," said Irune Suescun.

Looking to grow its reach, Spanish Woop Rugs, which produces its rugs in Spain, showcases its outdoor woven Qada collection.

WOVEN CONCEPTS

Woven Concept brings its art inspired works from the founder of Design Milk to ICFF. Shown, on the floor is Unrivaled

Woven Concepts, a long-time ICFF exhibitor, features the Untitled collection of area rugs created with Design Milk founder Jaime Derringer. The assortment recasts Derringer's works of art for the floor and features simple brushstrokes reminiscent of Japanese calligraphy.

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Part of the recently released collaboration with Design Milk founder Jaime Derringer is the Uncommon rug by Warp & Weft.